Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate.
(Psalm 116:5)

Our quest to know God returns to common themes, combined in various ways. In this single verse we have three adjectives (gracious, righteous, compassionate) and two nouns (LORD “Yahweh” and God “Elohim”). Here we see that the knowledge of God carries the psalmist along in his individual thanksgiving prayer. And what a prayer this is, for it provides for us poetic words that express the innermost struggle and relief of godly hearts.

Typical of many thanksgiving psalms, this one begins with an introduction (Psalm 116:1-12), followed by a problem (Psalm 116:3-4), then recognition and praise of His character as it relates to the writer’s deliverance from his problem (Psalm 116:5-11), and finally, renewed commitment to God.

We know nothing of the particular problem the writer faced, except that it was death-threatening and caused great fear and distress (vs. 3, 7-8). What we do know is that he extolled God, rather than wallowing in the experience or in a pity party. Adversity became an opportunity for seeing God in greater glory. His response naturally followed, as he recognized the Lord’s sovereign hand in it all. The cry for help was simply but earnestly put: “Then I called upon the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!’” (Ps 116:4).

He could do this because he knew the Lord, that He is gracious, righteous and compassionate. God may be known intellectually, but He is really known intimately through His actions, for His name Yahweh means He is a very real presence in our time of need. And the psalmist, in classical “self-talk,” counsels his soul, “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you” (Ps 116:7). All is well because the Yahweh is here. There is no need for worry or anxiety or fear. The psalmist provides an example of choosing to believe the divine perspective rather than the human perspective (vs. 10-11).

The thought of it all produces in the psalmist an overwhelming desire to renew his commitment to praise and worship God. “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD” (Ps 116:13-14). We, too, when tempted toward fear and anxiety, must instruct our souls by rehearsing God’s character, challenging ourselves to believe in Him and not our human understanding, to dare to believe He is gracious, righteous and compassionate. So we call on the name of the Yahweh; we celebrate His “cup of salvation” and live out our redeemed lives, day by day.

Lord Yahweh, I choose to live the redeemed life and call on You every day.